netXtra help ABTA celebrate 60 year anniversary with launch of new Schools Art Challenge microsite

April 19, 2010 - PRLog -- The recent launch of a new ABTA microsite - www.abta.com/60yearsontopoftheworld - a minisite developed by netXtra - invites children across the UK to imagine their perfect holiday from the past, present and future as part of a new and innovative Schools Art Challenge celebrating travel association and membership organisation ABTA’s 60th anniversary.

As a long-term supplier of website design, development and hosting services to ABTA, including those for their existing website at www.abta.com, netXtra were the natural choice for the development of the new microsite and provided valuable consultancy advice for its effective online deployment.

The project – which underlines ABTA’s long-standing involvement as the guardian of travel – has been designed to fit with the National Curriculum with a specially created teachers’ pack covering art, history, English, maths, geography and personal and social development. Primary school children (aged 7-11) are being asked to find out more about the heritage and history of the holiday industry and visualise travel through the ages by creating three postcards – past, present and future.

Archive material from Thomas Cook and other ABTA members throughout Britain is being made available to schools as an aid for teachers. Schools are also being encouraged to engage with their local travel agents with educational visits, and use holiday brochures as a way of immersing pupils in the industry.

Casia Zajac, ABTA Head of Communications, said, “Travel and Tourism is a fascinating and educational subject that enthuses children. It’s an exciting  project for ABTA Members too as it gives them the opportunity to reach a new and younger audience as well as their families and teachers.”

The Schools Art Challenge is just one of a number of initiatives planned during ABTA’s ‘60 Years On Top Of The World’ anniversary celebrations. Postcards will be judged by members of ABTA’s Board and Council of Regions based on originality, creativity, insight and understanding of the travel industry.

National and regional holiday prizes are being offered as competition prizes to schools and individual winners. ABTA Members and Travel Industry Partners, including First Choice, Eurostar, Acorn Travel Group and Malta Tourism Authority have so far responded by donating fantastic national prizes. Teachers can find out more and download their free entry packs and classroom resources by visiting the ABTA microsite at www.abta.com/60yearsontopoftheworld. Entries must be received by 10 June 2010.

To find out how a netXtra microsite or minisite could help you to better promote your next event celebration or member marketing campaign, why not give us a call on 01787 319393. Alternatively, why not visit our website at www.netxtra.net, or you can email us at info@netxtra.net.

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netXtra is a website development company that provides membership, not-for-profit and commercial organisations with comprehensive design, development, hosting and Internet strategy services.